His works are more widely performed today than those of his contemporaries. Sor studied music at the Montsserrat Monastery, the Esccolania, at an early age. This school was reknowned for its sacred music education since the 1300's. While Sor wrote primarily for the guitar he also received considerable success for his operas and ballets. His popularity earned him a place in the household of the Duchess of Alba in his early twenties. He shared this patronage with the great Spanish painter Goya.

Sor, Goya and many other Spanish intellectuals allied themselves with the the French cause and when Joseph Bonaparte, the puppet king, was overthrown many of them found themselves in an awkward position. Sor chose wisely to immigrate to Paris. This move helped to internationalize the popularity of the guitar, as his performances recieved rave reviews in London and Paris. His Ballet Cendrillon was performed one hundred and four times between 1823 and 1830. Sor was the first guitarist to perform with the London Philharmonic. In fact, he was the only guitarist during its first one hundred years.

From 1828 to 1832, Sor lived in the same Paris hotel as Dioniso Aguado. They had become acquainted years earlier, in Spain. Sor dedicated a number of works to his comrade. The two are known to have performed at least three concerts together during their time there.

Sor's Methode pour la guitare was published in French, German and English versions. It included extensive text and illustrations displaying Sors concern not only with technique, but also the instruments acoustics and design. His technique involved short fingernails, which he found to be an inconvenience and the use of a table to support the position of the guitar.

Fernando Sor - Complete Works (Integrale)

Op. 1: Six Divertimentos.
Op. 2: Six Divertimentos.
Op. 3: Theme and Variations.
Op. 4: Fantasia.
Op. 5: Six petites pièces.
Op. 6: Twelve Studies.
Op. 7: Fantasia.
Op. 8: Six Divertimentos.
Op. 9: Variations on a Theme of Mozart.
Op. 10: Troisième Fantaisie.
Op. 11: Deux thèmes variés et douze menuets.
Op. 12: Quatrième Fantaisie.
Op. 13: Six Divertimentos.
Op. 14: Sonata ("Grand Solo").
Op. 15(a): Folies d'Espagne & minuet.
Op. 15(b): Sonata.
Op. 15(c): Thème varié.
Op. 16: Variations on "Nel cor più non mi sento".
Op. 17: Six Waltzes.
Op. 18: Six Waltzes.
Op. 19: Six airs from The Magic Flute.
Op. 20: Theme and Variations. Op. 21: Les Adieux.
Op. 22: Grand Sonata.
Op. 23: Fifth Divertissement.
Op. 24: Huit petites pièces.
Op. 25: Second grand sonata.
Op. 26: Variations on "Que ne suis-je la fougère".
Op. 27: Variations on "Gentil housard".
Op. 28: Variations on "Malbroug".
Op. 29: Twelve Studies.
Op. 30: Fantaisie.
Op. 31: 24 Leçons progressives.
Op. 32: Six petites pièces.
Op. 33: Trois pièces de société.
Op. 34: L’Encouragement.
Op. 35: 24 Exercices très utiles.
Op. 36: Trois pièces de société.

Op. 37: Serenade.
Op. 38: Divertissement.
Op. 39: Six Valses.
Op. 40: Variations
Op. 41: Les deux amis.
Op. 42: Six petites pièces.
Op. 43: Mes ennuis, six bagatelles.
Op. 44: 24 petites pièces.
Op. 44 bis: Six Valses.
Op. 45: Voyons si c'est ça.
Op. 46: Souvenir d'amitié.
Op. 47: Six petites pièces progressives.
Op. 48: Est-ce bien ça?
Op. 49: Divertissement militaire.
Op. 50: Le calme.
Op. 51: A la bonne heure.
Op. 52: Fantaisie villageoise.
Op. 53: Le premier pas vers moi.
Op. 54: Morceau de concert.
Op. 54 bis: Fantaisie.
Op. 55: Trois duos.
Op. 56: Souvenirs d'une soirée à Berlin.
Op. 57: Six valses et un galop.
Op. 58: Fantaisie.
Op. 59: Fantaisie élégiaque.
Op. 60: Introduction à l'étude de la guitare.
Op. 61: Trois petits divertissements.
Op. 62: Divertissement.
Op. 63: Souvenir de Russie.

Works without opus number: March from "Cendrillon" ; Air varié; Thème varié; Four minuets; La Candeur.